Blind triathlete explains her need for ridesharing companies Copyright by KXAN - All rights reserved Copyright by KXAN - All rights reserved Patricia Walsh, who is a blind triathlete, says the loss of Uber and Lyft has a huge impact on her training. (KXAN Photo) Woman who is blind depended on ridesharing companies Patricia Walsh, who is a blind triathlete, says the loss of Uber and Lyft has a huge impact on her training. (KXAN Photo) prev next

KXAN Staff - AUSTIN (KXAN) -- While most people think Transportation Network Companies are mainly being used by people who need a ride after the bars close at 2 a.m., one Austin woman says she uses companies like Uber and Lyft because it's more convenient.

Patricia Walsh, who is blind, is a five time U.S. national champion and world record holder. She says she depends on ridesharing everyday to get to and from swim practice at 6 a.m. and in the evenings.

"Truthfully it was a real sense of panic, because for me, somebody who is blind and can't drive, reliance on public transportation in Austin is really not tenable for me to get to where I need to go," explains Walsh. Walsh goes on to say taking public transportation can sometimes take hours.

She says she can't help but be frustrated that Proposition 1 failed.

"I know people are trying to make an argument that this is a move that they made for safety but I sure don't feel safe with no real reliable opportunity to get home."

Walsh is currently training to compete in the 2016 Paralympics.